Bumrah cleared for Sri Lanka tests in boost for India’s World Test Championship hopes

NEW DELHI: India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has been cleared to play next month’s two-test series against Sri Lanka after recovering from an injury, a senior official from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told PTI on Friday.

Bumrah had been selected for the series subject to fitness after sustaining an impact injury during the recent one-day international series against England, which forced him to miss the third ODI at Lord’s.

“Jasprit Bumrah has recovered from his impact injury. He has cleared the fitness tests mandated by the Centre of Excellence. Hopefully he will be available for both games as he is integral to the team’s plans,” the BCCI official said on condition of anonymity.

The two-test series begins in Galle on Aug. 15, with the second match scheduled for Colombo from Aug. 23.

India face a crucial stretch in the World Test Championship cycle and need to win seven of their remaining nine tests to stay in contention for a place in the final.

A 2-0 series victory over Sri Lanka would provide valuable momentum before India travel to New Zealand for what is expected to be a demanding away series.

India continue to grapple with injuries elsewhere in the squad. Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy have been ruled out with hamstring and quadriceps injuries respectively, while Washington Sundar will miss the opening test because of a hamstring problem.

Fast bowler Akash Deep also remains unavailable as he continues his recovery from stress-related back injuries.